Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-06
EXPLOSIVE BULLETS IN WAR.
DR.. Robert Reyburn makes an Argu.
ment Against their Use.

Dr.. Robert Reyburn, OF this city, read paper
before the section OF military and naval surgery
and medicine on the question, care wounds from
explosive balls of such character as to justify
international laws against their use."
The proper discussion OF the question, whether
explosive balls should be prohibited by interna-
tional Law, he said, is largely Influenced by the
changed conditions OF modern, as compared with
ancient warfare. In our day the perfection at
tanned in the various forms OF large and small
ri1ed projectiles has been truly wonderful, and
the destruction OF human life In the great battles
OF modern times has assumed the accuracy OF an
algebraic equation. The philosopher, In studying
the gloomy record OF the history Of wars would
admitted fact that the improvements in the con-
struct1on OF the projectiles and firearms used In
war have been accompanied with marked dimi-
mutton In the relative mortality OF the combat.
compared With the ancient. A battle In the days
measure succession Of single comDats, resulting
eventually in the death OF one OF the combatanta.
NOW, among civilized nations during warfare,
when the enemy becomes disabled from wounds,
he generally receives all the care and attention
necessary In bis helpless condition. either from his
comrades or often from his late antagonists. The
chief endeavor In the battles OF ancient times was
to Kill as many Of the enemy possible In given
time. The same end Is attained in modern bat
Ties, but II has oeen found that An enemy wounded
sufficiently to become hors du combat is practically
much more a source OF weakness to his comrades
than II he were slain In battle. When he is Sc
army as II he formed no part OF it. but he has
wants to be attended to that require the services
OF many men, who could otherwise be employed in
active duty as soldiers. Humanity, which finds
lodging place even In the bosom OF "grim-ylsaged
war;" demands that
AMBULANCE CORPS
shall be provided for the carriage OF the wounded
soldier to place OF safety; hospital surgeons,
stewards and nurses shall be engaged In attend
ing to him. while large portion Of the commits
sary's and Quartermaster's departments has TO be
employed In furnishing him with needed supplies
and transportation. Not only Is this the case at
the time he receives his wound but this disability
continues for weeks and months, In fact during
the entire period OF his convalescence In place "
ling In the active duties OF warfare the sick or
The objection may be made to this statement that
great portion OF the care the wounded soldier
requires may be given by non-combatants or by
persons unit to perform military duty. While this
Is true to certain extent yet by lar the greater
portion OF the attendance required demands the
services Of abe-bodled men II is probably too low
an estimate to state that every wounded man
needs the services OF two able-bodied men for his
care and sustenance until he becomes again lit for
Is not the taxing away II lie, but rather the dis
abling and rendering UNIT for active service OF the
enemys soldiers; why should the inevitable horrors
sve balls oes not accomplish any more enectually
the disabling OF the combatants, but converts
slight wounds into grave ana fatal injuries OF
WOUNDS CAUSED By EXPLOSIVE BALLS
or bullets are great shattering OF the bones at
point OF injury, with communion OF the frag-
ments the soft tissues are extensively lacerated,
with great destruction OF the parts; this is fol-
lowed by extensive sloughing. In many cases the
reparative powers OF nature are insufficient to I'LL
up such extensive loss OF tissues These injuries
are often accompanied by the dangers OF both prt-
mary and secondary hemorrhage, and are also
followed by the frequent occurrence OF erysipelas
and py@mta. During the early part OF the late
war or the rebellion lU. S. some thousands Of
Gardner's explosive bullets (33, $50 were issued to
the United states troops, but tkeir use was soon
abandoned and never resumed.
The subject OF the employment OF explosive
balls or missiles has been matter OF contention
among the military powers OF Europe from the
time OF the discovery OF the Eliminates until the
present time. During the year 1888, by an agree
ment made by the principal nations OF Europe at
an International military conference, which was
held at st. Petersburg in OcJOter Ut that year. all
the great powers resolved to abstain from the use
OF explosive pro1ecttles under the weight OF 400
grammeA
for these reasons, and for the sake OF common
humanity, we believe that the use OF explosive
balls or bullets In should be forever prohibited
by International law.